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Saturday, 4 February 2017

This contributed piece has been edited and approved by Network World editors

Finding the right hire for IT can be a chore, and if you get it wrong, the consequences can be substantial. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a bad hire costs at least 30% of the initial annual salary, but that number is believed to be much higher. It’s a mistake that companies simply can’t afford to make in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.

To help avoid the pitfalls of a bad hire and net the tech talent you require, here are five common hiring mistakes to consider:

1. Thinking it’s a business-driven market and not the candidate-driven market it currently is. Companies looking for tech talent often operate under the misguided belief that they have the power since they are doing the hiring. However, when it comes to highly qualified, niche IT and tech talent, that is no longer the case. Because specialized talent with technical expertise is so difficult to find and hire, qualified candidates are the ones dictating what job offers they respond to, which companies they want to work for, and how much they’ll be paid. To net top talent, companies must accept they are searching for talent in a candidate-driven market and act accordingly. Or, risk losing out on the talent they want to competitors that already understand this.

2. Offering too little due to small budgets. Simply put, if you want top tech talent, you’ll need to pay up. Since qualified candidates are dictating the market, they are demanding higher salaries. Think you can low ball candidates after they are through the interview process? Think again. Current employee salaries are often one of the main stats candidates research on sites like Glassdoor to see if companies can match the rates highly qualified tech talent demands.

3. Failing to test coding and technical capabilities. Due to the difficulty that high-end tech talent searches pose, many hiring managers overlook the importance of testing candidate’s skills and capabilities because their resumes often showcase the experience they are looking for. But, resumes only tell one side of the story. It’s crucial to test the skills of tech applicants more so than any other group because of the need for specific expertise. While it may seem like they have the skills you’re looking for, you will only know for sure by providing them with a test using a coding or programming language proficiency test. Tests should be task-oriented, requiring applicants to develop a function using the coding language or languages that are required for the job. These can be automated through platforms like Codility. Implementing this one method will significantly lower the odds of making a bad hire, meaning you won’t be left with any surprises once they sign on the dotted line.

4. Overlooking internal talent. When looking to make a new hire, your current employees can also be your best resource. While many companies believe creating a referral program is the best way to net new talent, don’t make the mistake of overlooking internal talent. Although internal candidates may need additional training, given the current hiring market, this could likely be the faster and less expensive route without sacrificing the tech expertise you’re looking for. Promoting internally also boosts employee retention rates and engagement because they are shown that loyalty and hard work are respected and rewarded in the workplace. Given that the average tenure for tech professionals is only 1 to 3 years, companies looking to boost retention rates, improve culture, and grow internally can’t afford to overlook internal talent for new job openings.

5. Not moving fast enough. One hiring mistake that almost every business makes is not moving fast enough when it comes to the hiring process. Tech talent is a hot commodity and candidates are more aware of this than ever before. Qualified applicants will simply move on with their job search if they don’t hear back within a reasonable time frame or if the hiring process drags on for weeks. Although hiring managers are overwhelmed trying to balance their day-to-day responsibilities with hiring, it’s critical they prioritize the hiring process and show candidates that they are the top priority. The more time lags, the more likely candidates will simply move on. Nothing is worse than dedicating time to interviewing all of the potential candidates just to miss out on the initial candidate they fell in love with.

Making the right hiring choice for your tech team is crucial. Avoid these common hiring mistakes to net the best talent available and dodge the expensive and time-consuming pitfalls of getting it wrong.

Sunday, 29 January 2017

There are now more than 1 million solar systems installed in the United States, according to a recent report by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Q3 2016 was record-shattering by all accounts, and the solar industry is poised to almost double year after year. Despite widespread growth, there are misunderstandings and misconceptions that cost solar shoppers money. Keeping these common mistakes with solar panels for home use in mind can reduce the cost of going solar and your expenses over time.

Mistake #1: Not Making the Wisest Decision to Buy or Lease a Solar System

Solar leases and power purchase agreements (third-party-owned systems) soared in popularity several years ago but are now on the decline. These third-party ownership arrangements allow homeowners to install a solar system on their home without actually purchasing the equipment. Many agreements enabled homeowners to go solar for no money down, but the agreements are often 20 years in length. In many states, the homeowner pays less for the solar electricity than if they were purchasing it from the power grid, but some solar shoppers may be leaving money on the table.

There are a couple of disadvantages to solar leases and power purchase agreements. Homeowners are entitled to the 30 percent federal tax credit when they own the solar system but not for third-party-owned systems. This has a huge financial impact because a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal income taxes owed. For example, a $10,000 solar system could qualify for a $3,000 tax credit. Solar leases also got a bad name because they can complicate home sales if the new homeowner doesn’t or cannot take over the agreement.

There are now many more financing options available for solar panels for home use than there were several years ago, and this is a big reason that third-party-owned solar systems are dropping in popularity. Many of these options have low fixed rates and require little, if any, money down to go solar. Ultimately, whether it is more financially savvy to lease or to finance a solar system depends on the terms of the contract and the loan agreement. Just make sure that you understand the terms of each agreement before deciding so that there aren’t any surprises down the line.

Mistake #2: Installing a New Solar System on an Old Roof

Solar energy systems are designed to last 25 to 30 years. It can be costly to remove and reinstall the panels if you need to replace your roof during the life of your solar system. If your roof will need to be replaced in the near future, complete the roof work first and then install your solar system. It might, however, be possible to complete some roof repairs around the solar system, depending on the solar panel mounting hardware and the needed repairs.

Mistake #3: Not Shopping Around to Get Competitive Solar Bids

Although the cost of installing a solar system has fallen dramatically, the soft costs still constitute a lot of the total system cost. These costs vary widely by the solar installer, so it’s a good idea to shop around. Like any other home improvement project, there can be a big difference in the cost of installing a solar system with different installers. Understand Solar is a great free service to link you to top-rated solar installers for solar estimates, and the EnergySage Marketplace has been praised by solar shoppers because the platform allows installers to put in bids and for homeowners to make an apples-to-apples comparison of the various options.

Did you know that the U.S. is the worldwide leader in wasting energy? Before getting solar panels for home use, it’s a good idea to consider how much energy your home really requires, especially if you want your solar system to generate most of your power.

This is partially for financial reasons. In most states, consumers are compensated for solar power using net metering. At the end of the one-year period, your electric usage and solar credits are tallied up. If your solar system generated less energy than your home consumed, you pay the difference. If the solar panels produced more energy than you used, surplus solar energy credits are typically reset to zero. This means that most solar homeowners won’t get compensated for excess power, making proper solar system sizing important.

In many cases, it is cheaper to boost home energy efficiency than to buy a larger solar system. Keep in mind that your cooling system and possibly your water heater may account for a lot of your total electricity use.

Top 8 mistakes you make losing weight

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

Weight Loss is a process that requires patience and time. Not always we are able to lose weight quickly and easily. The reasons why diets do not work are the worst mistakes when losing weight. We have prepared the top 8 most common mistakes losing weight for you!

Top biggest mistakes losing weight

1. Mistakes during weight loss: Fasting

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

Perhaps the mindless hunger is the biggest mistake during weight loss. Most people mistakenly believe that only the refusal of food or food maximum limit will help them to lose weight. These people sit on the rigid diet, consuming not more than 500-700 calories a day. What does it lead to? First, slowing metabolism. One of the tasks of successful weight loss is not only to lose weight but also to disperse a low metabolism. When you have a starvation diet (less than 1200 calories), it slows down the metabolism that cannot contribute to weight loss. Also, starvation diet makes the likelihood of relapse very high, because not everyone can stand such starvation.

2. Mistakes during weight loss: The lack of breakfast

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

Breakfast is one of the main meals, and during the diet, this meal is a must. People who skip breakfast are at risk to get the excellent an appetite for lunch or dinner. In addition, breakfast is needed in the morning to wake up metabolism. Do not worry about the calories eaten at breakfast, till dinner they will be burnt. Always eat breakfast! If you have ever missed this meal, try to make sure that breakfast becomes a habit. Do not limit the number of products for breakfast to a minimum. During this meal, you can treat yourself with a sweet or chocolate. Eat it better in the morning than at night.

3. Mistakes during weight loss: The abuse of low-fat food

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

And here is another very common mistake of weight loss plans - rejection of fat. Our TV screens have every day broadcast on the benefits of low-fat products, which without a doubt, will help you to lose weight. People are buying low-fat cheese and yogurt, not knowing that this way they only harm their health.

The fact is that low-fat foods contain high amounts of trans fats, which are not absorbed by the body, but it tends to accumulate them. It leads to disruption of metabolism process and, as a consequence, to excess weight. In addition, eliminating fats from your diet, you begin to lean on carbohydrates and that promotes rapid weight gain.

4. Mistakes during losing weight: Irregular meals

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

One of the major mistakes during the diet is irregular ‘power supply’. Some people not only ignore breakfast but also refuse to eat lunch and dinner. Irregular meals are dangerous because in the absence of full reception of food you are likely going to try to drown out your hunger using different snacks, which, at first glance, seem quite harmless. However, if you calculate the eaten calories during snacks, you will be surprised detecting that with the same success you can fully enjoy lunch or dinner. Do not throw out dinner from your diet, it is also slowing metabolism. Better to dine easily and without any frills.

5. Mistakes during weight loss: The abuse of fruits and juices

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

Abandoning harmful and fatty foods, dieters are trying to diversify the diet with plenty of fruits and juices. How to become fit whether there is a large amount of fruit and juice in the framework of the diet? Most fruits contain large amounts of fructose, which your body turns into sugar and sets aside in the form of fat reserves. Especially dangerous ones (in this respect) are fruits with high glycemic index, such as bananas and grapes. You should eat a lot of peaches and pears too. Is there any fruit that can be eaten in any amount? No, this is nothing more than a myth. The same applies to fruit juices that contain a lot of sugar. Fruit juices cannot satisfy your hunger, but your body will receive a large amount of sugar and calories.

6. Mistakes during weight loss: Express-diet

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

One of the most common diet mistakes is the abuse of express diets. What is the express diet? This diet is created for the small amount of time to help lose a few kilos in emergency situations. Express diet is usually unbalanced and is often based on eating a standard set of products for everyday use.

Such a diet does not give the body the necessary nutrients, and therefore it should not be used more than once a month. Long ‘sitting’ on a diet will not only lead to health problems, but also to the effect of the plateau. Your body, adapting to ‘a dangerous diet’, begins to accumulate fat in reserve.

7. Mistakes during weight loss: Low physical activity

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

Is it possible to lose weight without sports? Of course, this is possible, but with sports, fat burns much faster and the effect of permanently is entrenched. In addition, sports help accelerate metabolism, strengthen the muscles and keep the tone of your skin.

8. Mistakes during weight loss: Water balance

Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight

It is known that metabolism occurs in an aqueous environment and, therefore, if you want to lose weight drinking water. Adhering to a diet, you must be sure to drink enough water. A lot of people believe that by limiting the amount of water they quickly get the desired number on the scale. Alas, it is just self-deception, because your body will get rid of the water, not fat. Do not limit drinking and drink about two liters of water a day.

We hope that our readers will not repeat the most common mistakes when losing weight! Lose Weight correctly!

Sunday, 27 July 2014

Several individuals tend to
navigate their careers as if they are just paddling across a small lake or
river and not navigating like they are sailing across an ocean. Often times we
make career decisions on a short term bases, just focusing on completing the
task at hand, competing for the next available promotion, or outperforming a
co-worker. But what I’ve learnt over the years is that sometimes the decisions
that are seemingly minor can have major impacts on the direction of your career. Here are five important career mistakes to avoid:

Failing to network outside of your company.

In the business or working world
many individuals are aware of the importance of networking- not the old-
fashion “glad-handing”, attending specially occasions or events, sharing
business cards, but genuine relationship building. Being open to new ideas,
suggestions and expanding your prospective to that of people from other
organizations. Creating relationships that will that make your daily duties and
task easier and more successful is vital. But too often persons make the
mistake of limiting their networking activities to within their company only. Customs
and cultures can be vastly different, as persons who have worked in numerous
different companies know. Exposure to different perspectives and new ideas requires
an open mind towards other cultures and getting outside the circle of
co-workers or colleagues who you usually interact with. Don’t put all your eggs
in one basket! Sometimes, the professional relationships that have the most
influences on your career are the ones outside of your own company- particularly
when you are going through tough times. I am not saying building relationships
is going to be easy, but investing in these relationships outside of your
organization will definitely pay off in the long run.

2. Make decisions
based on how much you earn

Studies show that no matter how much
money we earn, we always want to earn at least 20% more. Most if not all,
usually find it difficult to resist a raise, promotion, or even a change in the
organization that feed the hunger of their bank account. But what I’ve come to
realize is that over time in any career, individuals are paid for the impact
they have made, not the title that they had. Best professional advice is to
choose the career path that provides valuable experience, allows you to learn
new ideas quickly, despite the income and also one that allows you to develop
vital business relationships.

Patience is crucial, therefore,
prioritizing experience over money will certainly result in financial growth
and mobility of a period of time.

3. Avoid Failure.
Everything in life has challenges, therefore, over the course of any career,
you may be faced with two different alternatives or different paths- one which
has a seemingly much more risk. Often times, several high performers get
frustrated by always being placed into uncertain roles where many have failed
and success may seem far fetch. But many executives typically manage employees
with high potential in this manner for various different reasons. Working in
tough situation will lead to accelerated growth and development- not just
learning about leadership and business, but also yourself. Long term career
success is measured by the combination of experiences gained and how well one
navigates their different roles which leverages their unique strengths and
passions. Overcoming tough situations often result in personal growth and
development.

4. Purchasing a
House.

That’s correct, purchasing a house
can damage your career, especially if you buy it at an early stage. Companies
place great emphasis mobility. They strongly want their high-potential staff
members or employees to acquire a great deal of experience. Even at the CEO
level, boards often search for individuals who have gained a vast degree of experience
across multiple different areas and divisions within the organization, and
exposure at a global stage. It’s difficult to gain those valuable assets when
you are stationed in one location. Purchasing a house early in your career
takes away your mobility. Even though some might say “if great opportunity arises
then I can always sell my house and relocate.” But companies today rarely pay substantial
moving expenses. Additionally, the time, effort and expense involved in selling
your home and moving to a new location can be a significant headwind, consequently,
you gave up what may have been a long-term game changing career opportunity.

5. Miss
opportunities to help others.

When you make a valuable
contribution towards any company or individual, you will almost always be paid
for it, whether it be immediately or later in life. This is certainly the fact of life in a professional career,
but this is unknown by many. Research as shown that most successful career
professionals were 4 times more likely to place more emphasis on the success of
persons around them then even their own success and development.

In order to obtain a successful long
term career or win the long term career game a broad support base from
colleagues and peers is required. If you come across any opportunity where your
actions can surely be beneficial to others, do take the time and effort to make
it happen, even without return benefits. This can be called positive Karma or
whatever you like, but the good will definitely build up over time and develop a
groundswell of support when most needed or least expected. The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careerssee writers 4 sale

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Almost everyone practically loves chicken, whether it’s fried, boiled, roasted, baked
or jerked. However, what most chicken lovers hate
is dried out, rubbery, tough or overcooked chicken. Here are a few pointers on how to
prepare your chicken perfectly:

Allowing the Legs and Wings FlyTrussing a chicken (binding close the wings and legs) prior to roasting is not
just for cooks who are very fussy and put presentation above all (although I’ll
admit, that binding or tying the wings and legs of the chicken tightly against
the body does actually make the finished product look picture-perfect). The
purpose of trussing poultry is to help the bird to maintain moisture and to achieve
a more evenly cook. Consequently, if trussing is not done then hot air will
circulate inside the breast cavity of the chicken, thus drying out all the moisture
out of that portion before the legs are properly done. Trussing is not
difficult and does not take much time, just follow the demonstration in the
video below.

Putting the Bird in with No BlanketJames Peterson (Cooking Instructor) in his new book “ A Cook's Guide to Knowing When Food Is Perfectly Cooked”
stated that another simple way to avoid "roasting your chicken to
death" is by simply covering the chicken breast with aluminium foil paper
during the first twenty minutes (20) of roasting. The purpose of this is to
slow down of delay the cooking of the breast area. Consequently, both the
thighs and the breast will be done simultaneous. Additionally, don’t wrap the foil
too tightly just tent it so air can pass underneath it.

Sautéing Just 2 Pieces of Chicken
Preparing chicken in butter on the stove produces a delightful meat, one that’s
richly flavored and has a golden brown colour. Even though, many chefs often
tell cooks “never crowd the pot,” when sautéing chicken there is an exception
as the pot can be packed. James recommends that your saute’ pan be totally full
of chicken, this prevents the butter from burning over any uncovered area. Please
note however, that the chicken parts should be given small spaces as the parts
need not to be touching each other. Additionally, don’t saute just one or two pieces
of chicken in a huge skillet because after your meat is prepared it will have a
burnt taste.

Guessing When The Meat Done
Everyone knows that an instant-read thermometer is the ideal tool needed to
determine if a whole chicken has gotten enough preparation time ( James stated,
“ it should be 140 degrees where the chicken’s thighbone joins the other parts
of the body). However, an alternative method which can be used if there is no
thermometer present is; testing by hand. This can be done by pressing on the
muscle of the chicken with the thumb; that’s what undercooked or raw poultry
feels like. Give it some more time then fold your fist and press on the muscle
once more; finally, that’s what cooked chicken feels like.

Starting a Fire When You Grill
One common feature of grilling chicken is flares-up. Flare-ups are typically occur
because the fat from the chicken tends to drip onto the coals while grilling is
being done. These occurrences aren’t usually dangerous but, they can cause your
meat to have a bitter taste and a light coating of soot. James recommends that
you ignore what you usually see in most cookbooks or cooking manuals and
prepare the chicken flesh-side down first, when the grill fire is at its peak. Therefore,
by the time the chicken is ready to be flipped over to the skin side, the venom
of the fire would have weaken (died down somewhat). At this point the possibility
of flare-ups occurring while grilling the skin (i.e., fatty) side would have been
reduced significantly.